The study of the occult has long fascinated and captivated people across cultures and throughout history. With its mysterious practices and hidden knowledge, it has beckoned seekers to uncover its secrets. However, the key that unlocks and reveals the hidden truths of the occult lies not in the realms of sorcery or divination, but rather in the realms of knowledge, understanding, and personal growth. At its core, the occult encompasses a wide range of practices and beliefs that are often seen as beyond the realm of normal human experience. From divination and astrology to alchemy and spellcasting, the occult delves into the mystical and supernatural. It explores the relationships between humans, the natural world, and the divine.
An exploration of how Jules Verne used his writings to encrypt important Masonic and Rosicrucian secrets and sacred symbolism
5 Theoshopy Founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, the Theosophist movement combined elements from the western esoteric tradition with oriental religions and philosophies. 1 Alchemy The fantastical rock formations in the landscape backgrounds of Renaissance paintings particularly of the Ferrarese school may refer to mining activities associated at the time with alchemical research.
It explores the relationships between humans, the natural world, and the divine. Despite its associations with dark arts and forbidden knowledge, the occult is not inherently evil or sinister. In fact, its true essence lies in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and personal transformation.
The Occult in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections
The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy describes the “occult sciences” as “mysterious practices and forms of knowledge, such as magic, alchemy, astrology, etc., which since antiquity have aimed to penetrate and master the secrets of nature.” Refining this further, the occult tradition could be seen as based on three suppositions: 1. The transmission since ancient times of a secret wisdom only accessible to a few initiates; 2. The correspondences between different parts of the universe (elements, planets, temperaments, etc.), within the context of a fundamental correspondence between macrocosms and microcosms; and 3. The existence of certain superpowers latent within human beings, which must manifest themselves in order to lead us to a spiritual metamorphosis or transmutation.
Occult knowledge has survived over the centuries in a hostile cultural climate - dominated firstly by hegemonic religion and later by rationalism and positivism - thanks to its ability to disguise itself and infiltrate. It is in the field of the visual arts that esoteric ideas and beliefs have found the ideal terrain for their encoded messages; from the hermetic allegories of the Renaissance to their presence in 20 th century avant-garde art.
Curated by Guillermo Solana, this exhibition brings together around 59 works from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collections (both the museum’s permanent collection and the private collections of various members of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family) which reveal documented traces of the occult. The esoteric tradition provides a series of codes for deciphering hidden meanings. Its value lies in the fact that it reveals details and aspects of works of art that have previously passed unnoticed, offering us new, heterodox readings.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections which reflect the repertoire of the principal disciplines and trends within the occult tradition:
(1) Alchemy The fantastical rock formations in the landscape backgrounds of Renaissance paintings (particularly of the Ferrarese school) may refer to mining activities associated at the time with alchemical research. The subject of alchemy re-emerged with force in 20 th century art, for example in the work of Max Ernst and Lucio Fontana.
(2) Astrology Interest in the celestial bodies and their influence on human life has left its mark on innumerable works of art of different periods, from a zodiac in a religious painting to a horoscope in a portrait or the myth of a constellation’s birth. The stars and their virtual embodiments would later return to fascinate artists such as Miró, Cornell and Matta.
(3) Demonology A profound interest in different forms of the diabolical runs through the entire history of Christian iconography. Aside from explicitly identified devils, Renaissance and Baroque painting features a wealth of grotesque faces which indicate the “evil eye”, together with other disturbing presences that embody the Evil One’s snares.
(4) Spiritualism The occult re-emerged in the 19 th century in the form of an obsession with communicating with the spirits of the dead. Of characterised by its somnambulist figures in crepuscular or nocturnal settings, fin-de-siècle painting often evokes the atmosphere of spiritist seances.
(5) Theoshopy Founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, the Theosophist movement combined elements from the western esoteric tradition with oriental religions and philosophies. In the early 20 th century it enjoyed enormous cultural influence and inspired the pioneers of abstract art such as Kandinsky, Kupka, Balla, Severini, Mondrian and Van Doesburg.
(6) Shamanism Avant-garde artists identified with the figure of the shaman, a spiritual mediator and healer in many cultures. Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky and Pollock are well known examples of artists who appropriated shamanistic objects and rituals.
(7) Dreams, oracles and premonitions The Surrealists were fascinated by occultism and adopted its practices although not necessarily its beliefs. Endowed with apparent scientific rigour by psychoanalysis, the interpretation of dreams occupies a central place within Surrealism’s obsessions, particularly in connection with premonitions and the powers of clairvoyants. In this section works by Dalí, Ernst, Tanguy and Delvaux establish dialogues with artists difficult to classify such as Schad, Balthus and Bacon.
The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy describes the “occult sciences” as “mysterious practices and forms of knowledge, such as magic, alchemy, astrology, etc., which since antiquity have aimed to penetrate and master the secrets of nature.” Refining this further, the occult tradition could be seen as based on three suppositions: 1. The transmission since ancient times of a secret wisdom only accessible to a few initiates; 2. The correspondences between different parts of the universe (elements, planets, temperaments, etc.), within the context of a fundamental correspondence between macrocosms and microcosms; and 3. The existence of certain superpowers latent within human beings, which must manifest themselves in order to lead us to a spiritual metamorphosis or transmutation.
It offers seekers a path towards self-discovery and understanding of the hidden realms of existence. The key to unlocking the hidden truths of the occult lies in the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. Just as a key opens a locked door, knowledge allows individuals to access the insights and wisdom the occult has to offer. This knowledge can be gained through rigorous study, research, and exploration of various occult traditions, texts, and teachings. Furthermore, understanding is crucial in effectively applying the knowledge one acquires. It is not enough to possess knowledge; one must also comprehend its deeper meanings and implications. Without understanding, the knowledge gained from the occult remains shallow and may only scratch the surface of its true potential. Personal growth and spiritual development form the final pieces of the key that unlocks the hidden truths of the occult. It is through the pursuit of these goals that seekers can experience the transformative power of the occult. By integrating the knowledge and understanding they have attained into their own lives, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the universe. Ultimately, the key that reveals the hidden truths of the occult lies in the combination of knowledge, understanding, and personal growth. It is through these three interconnected aspects that seekers can gain a profound understanding of the occult and its secrets. By dedicating oneself to the pursuit of knowledge, the cultivation of understanding, and the embrace of personal growth, individuals can unlock the true potential of the occult and uncover its hidden truths..
Reviews for "The Key to the Occult: Unlocking its Mysteries"
1. Sara - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Key that Reveals the Hidden Truths of the Occult" as I have always found the occult fascinating. However, I was left disappointed and underwhelmed by this book. The content felt very basic and surface-level, lacking any real depth or insights. It felt like the author was just regurgitating commonly known information without offering anything new or unique. Overall, I found it to be a shallow and unengaging read.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The Key that Reveals the Hidden Truths of the Occult" promised to provide a deep dive into the occult world, but it failed to deliver. The book was poorly organized, jumping from one topic to another without any clear progression or structure. This made it confusing and difficult to follow. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any passion or excitement. It felt like the author was simply going through the motions, rather than truly engaging with the subject matter. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the occult.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who has studied the occult for many years, I was disappointed by "The Key that Reveals the Hidden Truths of the Occult". The information provided in this book was very basic and rudimentary, offering nothing new or insightful. It felt like a rehashing of commonly known facts without any deeper exploration or analysis. Additionally, the writing style was bland and lacked any sense of excitement or intrigue. Overall, I found "The Key that Reveals the Hidden Truths of the Occult" to be a shallow and uninspiring read that added little to my knowledge or understanding of the subject.